Diverticulosis | Diverticulitis | MedlinePlus

Diverticulosis | Diverticulitis | MedlinePlus

Diverticulosis and Diverticulitis

Also called: Diverticular disease

Diverticulosis and Diverticulitis

Diverticula are small pouches that bulge outward through the colon, or large intestine. If you have these pouches, you have a condition called diverticulosis. It becomes more common as people age. Doctors believe the main cause is a low-fiber diet. If the pouches become inflamed or infected, you have a condition called diverticulitis. Learn more about the symptoms and treatments.

MEDICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA

• Abdominal CT scan
• Abdominal exploration
• Abdominal exploration - slideshow
• Barium enema
• Bland diet
• Bloody or tarry stools
• Colon diverticula - slideshow
• Colonoscopy
• Colostomy - slideshow
• Diverticulitis

National Institutes of Health

The primary NIH organization for research on Diverticulosis and Diverticulitis is the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases

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Find health information in languages other than English on Diverticulosis and Diverticulitis

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Summary

Diverticula are small pouches that bulge outward through the colon, or large intestine. If you have these pouches, you have a condition called diverticulosis. It becomes more common as people age. About half of all people over age 60 have it. Doctors believe the main cause is a low-fiber diet.

Most people with diverticulosis don't have symptoms. Sometimes it causes mild cramps, bloating or constipation. Diverticulosis is often found through tests ordered for something else. For example, it is often found during a colonoscopy to screen for cancer. A high-fiber diet and mild pain reliever will often relieve symptoms.

If the pouches become inflamed or infected, you have a condition called diverticulitis. The most common symptom is abdominal pain, usually on the left side. You may also have fever, nausea, vomiting, chills, cramping, and constipation. In serious cases, diverticulitis can lead to bleeding, tears, or blockages. Your doctor will do a physical exam and imaging tests to diagnose it. Treatment may include antibiotics, pain relievers, and a liquid diet. A serious case may require a hospital stay or surgery.

NIH: National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases

Start Here

• Diverticular Disease (American Academy of Family Physicians)Also in Spanish
• Diverticulitis (Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research)
• Diverticulosis and Diverticulitis (American College of Gastroenterology)
• Diverticulosis and Diverticulitis  (National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases)

Diagnosis and Tests

• Abdominal and Pelvic CT  (American College of Radiology, Radiological Society of North America)Also in Spanish
• Abdominal exploration - slideshow (Medical Encyclopedia)Also in Spanish
• Colonoscopy: MedlinePlus Health Topic  (National Library of Medicine)Also in Spanish
• Fecal Occult Blood Test (FOBT)  (National Library of Medicine)Also in Spanish
• Lower GI Series (Barium Enema)  (National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases)Also in Spanish

Treatments and Therapies

• Colon diverticula - slideshow (Medical Encyclopedia)Also in Spanish
• Colostomy - slideshow (Medical Encyclopedia)Also in Spanish
• Treatment for Diverticular Disease  (National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases)Also in Spanish

Living With

• Dietary Fiber: Essential for a Healthy Diet (Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research)Also in Spanish
• Diverticulitis Diet (Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research)Also in Spanish
• Diverticulitis Diet: Can Certain Foods Trigger an Attack?(Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research)Also in Spanish
• Fiber: How to Increase the Amount in Your Diet (American Academy of Family Physicians)Also in Spanish

Specifics

• Diverticula, Diverticulosis, Diverticulitis: What's the Difference?(International Foundation for Functional Gastrointestinal Disorders)

Clinical Trials

• ClinicalTrials.gov: Diverticular Diseases  (National Institutes of Health)
• ClinicalTrials.gov: Diverticulitis  (National Institutes of Health)
• ClinicalTrials.gov: Diverticulum, Colon  (National Institutes of Health)

Journal ArticlesReferences and abstracts from MEDLINE/PubMed (National Library of Medicine)

• Article: Epidemiology, Pathophysiology, and Treatment of Diverticulitis. 
• Article: Guidelines for Colonic Diverticular Bleeding and Colonic Diverticulitis: Japan Gastroenterological Association. 
• Article: Sigmoido-Cecal Fistula: A Rare Case of Complicated Recurrent Diverticulitis and a... 
• Diverticulosis and Diverticulitis -- see more articles 

Find an Expert

• American Society of Colon and Rectal Surgeons 
• Find a Gastroenterologist (American College of Gastroenterology)
• National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases 

Patient Handouts

• Bland diet (Medical Encyclopedia)Also in Spanish
• Colonoscopy (Medical Encyclopedia)Also in Spanish
• Diverticulitis (Medical Encyclopedia)Also in Spanish
• Diverticulitis and diverticulosis - discharge (Medical Encyclopedia)Also in Spanish
• Diverticulosis (Medical Encyclopedia)Also in Spanish
• Large bowel resection - discharge (Medical Encyclopedia)Also in Spanish
• Low-fiber diet (Medical Encyclopedia)Also in Spanish
• Lower GI Series  (National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases)
• Virtual colonoscopy (Medical Encyclopedia)Also in Spanish